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NFL Hopeful Draft, AJ Simon Dead At 25 With One Week To The Draft

NFL hopeful draft, AJ Simon dead at 25, with a week to the draft, according to reports and close relations.

Amitral “AJ” Simon, a college football player, died just one week before he could have realized his professional football dreams, his former university announced on Wednesday.

Simon, 25, transferred to the University of Albany, where he played defensive line for the Great Danes during the 2022-2023 season. In a social media statement, the school stated that Simon will be “profoundly missed.”

“AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout this time at UAlbany,” the school said in a statement. “He was a role model both on and off the field, contributing significantly to this program over the last two years.

The cause of death was not disclosed. Simon was eligible for the NFL Draft next week, and NBC Sports reported that he had recently visited New England.

He announced his decision to enter the draft in December, after his time with the team had ended. He described his collegiate career as “pivotal” in shaping his path to the NFL Draft, as it helped him become a better person both on and off the field.

“I am thrilled to represent the University of Albany as I take this next step in my football career,” he wrote in a statement. “I’m sad it’s over, but grateful it happened. With that said, I will enter the 2024 NFL Draft.”

Simon was named to the Coastal Athletic Association’s Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll in February, which requires students to maintain a 3.0 grade-point average.

Last season, Simon recorded 12.5 sacks and more than 20 tackles, according to NBC Sports.

Following word of the player’s passing, Albany head coach Greg Gattuso posted on X, calling his two years as Simon’s coach “joyous”.

Gattuso wrote, “My prayers are dedicated to the Simon family.” “I love you, AJ and will always have a special place in my heart for #8.”